Debt Level Among Top Disagreements for Couple Homebuyers

The stresses of moving are known to be extremely high, but recent data from LendingHome, a mortgage marketplace lender, says there are ways to relieve it—specifically if your client is moving with a significant other. New survey data showed that 60 percent of millennial and Generation X couples disagreed occasionally, frequently, or “a lot” when buying a house with their partner or spouse. Couples that have been together for five-plus years have a much more harmonious move, disagreeing frequently or more only 14 percent of the time. However, couples together four years or less disagreed twice as much at 30 percent or more.

“Buying a home is stressful for just about anyone but even more so for couples and first-time homebuyers,” said Matt Humphrey, Co-Founder and CEO of LendingHome. “To navigate the home-buying process smoothly starts by first being aware of some of the pitfalls.

The top disagreements among couples when moving are the level of debt to take on (49 percent), the style of house (46 percent), size of house (45 percent), and whether or not to buy a house in need of renovation (43 percent). Some couples struggled with different housing preferences based on their gender and location. Women typically wanted traditional or cozy homes (48 percent) over modern homes (34 percent) and suburbs (54 percent) over a big city (15 percent). Men are more open to the style and location of their home, having relatively equal preference to the aforementioned preferences.

“Buying a home together is more than playing house and making Pinterest boards of dream kitchens; it’s a serious commitment with enormous financial implications,” said Samantha Burns,  a licensed Couples Therapist and Dating Coach in Boston, Massachusetts. “You need to feel secure and confident in your relationship before taking this step together. In searching for your dream home, get clear on your wants versus needs, firm deal breakers, and ability to analyze the pros and cons. By getting on the same page at the beginning, you’ll be able to minimize conflict throughout your home search.”

The good news is 60 percent of all couples said their disagreements when buying a house really didn’t matter in the end and 50 percent felt more committed after the purchase. Knowing the pitfalls of buying with a significant other, however, can help navigate the process more smoothly.